Package



Oct. 25, 1966 T. P. EVANS ET AL PACKAGE Filed y 24, 1965 United StatesPatent 3,280,969 PACKAGE Thomas P. Evans and Elmer Dale Thompson, FortMadison, Iowa, assignors to W. A. Shealfer Pen Company, Fort Madison,Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 24, 1965, Ser. No. 458,137 2Claims. (Cl. 206-46) This invention relates to a novel package and moreparticularly to an elongate tubular package for a generally cylindricalarticle such as a writing instrument.

In the past, manufacturers have packaged writing instruments in variousways, not only to provide an aesthetic setting for such implements, butparticularly to protect them against any type of damage during shipping,handling, etc. Generally speaking, the higher quality writing instrumenthas been packaged in an attractive box having such features as a hingedcover, an elastic holding band, interior lining, as well as variousdesign elements judged to be attractive to the potential customer. Thistype of box has usually proven to be satisfactor for its intendedpurposes. However, for lowerapriced writing instruments, a great deal ofdifliculty has been experienced in finding an attractive yet inexpensivepackage capable of adequately protecting the instrument while stillserving to display it to the best advantage.

Various types of packaging have been used by manufacturers in an effortto solve this problem, including small cardboard boxes, display cards onwhich the instruments are held by a closely conforming transparentplastic sheet, inexpensive cardboard counter displays, and the like. Insome instances manufacturers have even found it necessary to resort tosuch practices as putting a quantity of instruments in a bin-likedisplay without the benefit of the individual packaging necessary toinsure that the instruments are not damaged during normal handling andshipping.

A further problem encountered in recent years has been in the rapidlyexpanding field of coin-operated ma-' chines. Many of these machinescannot handle non-symmetrical articles, and particularly if a writinginstrument is supplied with a pocket clip, it frequently is necessary toput such a pen or pencil in a symmetrical cylindrical package beforeplacing it in a vending machine. In the past, there have been use-dtubular cardboard packages, consisting of two cylindrical cap portionswhich are telescopically engageable to form a closed container capableof receiving and holding the instrument. Unfortunately, such tubularcardboard packages are not only expensive, but fail to permit inspectionof the writing instrument by the potential buyer.

These various problems are eliminated by the present invention.

Accordingly, it is one object of this invention to provide aninexpensive yet attractive and protective package for a writinginstrument or similar article.

It is another object of this invention to provide a transparentgenerally tubular package having open ends through which a writinginstrument may be inserted or removed, the writing instrument beingcentrally held in the package and cushioned against any damage, shock orother mishap.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a generallytubular package having means for holding various sizes and shapes ofwriting instruments or similar articles, solely by frictional contactbetween the article and radially and resiliently yieldable flutesextending into the central bore of the package.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a package of thecharacter described hereabove, which may be formed by an inexpensiveplastic extrusion process.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an ice inexpensiveyet rugged and attractive package adapted for use in various types ofvending machines.

Still further and additional objects of this invention will be apparentfrom the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment ofa package constructed according to this invention, the package beingshown as containing a writing instrument;

FIGURE 2 is an end view taken along the line 2-2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a still further enlarged end view of the embodiment ofFIGURE 1, showing the radially yieldable nature of the package;

FIGURE 4 is an end view of another embodiment of this invention; and

FIGURE 5 is an end view of yet another embodiment of this invention.

Referring now particularly to the embodiment of FIG- URES 1 through 3,there is provided an elongate package 10, including a thin generallytubular body portion 12 which is a little longer than the writinginstrument 14 carried therein. While the body portion 12 may be made ofany one of a number of materials, preferably it is formed of atransparent or translucent plastic such as one of the polycarbonates,acetate or styrene. Regardless of the particular material chosen,however, it should be of a semi-resilient nature since it will besubject to lateral deformation during use. In a longitudinal direction,however, the body portion 12 should be rigid enough to prevent anysignificant compression thereof under pressures it is likely toencounter in normal handling, shipping, etc.

As will be noted best from FIGURES 2 and 3, the generally circular bodyportion 12 defines a straight central bore 13 having projectingthereinto indentations or flutes 16. The flutes 16 preferably are formedas an integral part of the body portion 12, thereby providing acircu-mferentially continuous package. -In this embodiment, the flutes16 are generally triangular in configuration, extending radially anequal distance into bore 13 whereby their inner apexes form a circularcentral opening 18 which is concentric with the central bore 13, as bestshown by the broken line 18 in FIGURE 3. The flutes 16 extend the fulllength of the body portion 12, with their apexes providing threelongitudinally extending contact surfaces 28 adapted to slidin-gly andfrictionally engage the writing instrument 14.

As will .be understood by those in the art, the central opening 18 issomewhat smaller in diameter than the basic diameter of the writingimplement 14, the dot-dash broken line 20 in FIGURE 3 representing thediameter of the implement 14.

As pointed out herebefore, the relatively thin material of the bodyportion 12 should be of a generally semiresilient nature to permitoutward biasing of the flutes 16 and enlargement of the central opening18 concomitantly with insertion of the writing instrument through eitherof the open ends 22 or 24 of the body portion 12. During this enlargingof the central opening, the body portion 12 resiliently yields outwardlyin a generally radial direction to approximately the position indicatedby the broken line 26 in FIGURE 3. And while it will be appreciated thatmost of the flexing in the package occurs in the body portion 12, theflutes likewise are free to resiliently yield or bow laterally out oftheir natural shape during enlargement of the central opening 18.

This outward biasing of the resilient body portion 12 and flutes 16 istranslated into a compressive force between the contact surfaces 28 andthe writing instrument 14 to hold the writing instrument suspended inthe central opening in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis ofprotuberance, such as the pocket clip 30.

the body portion 12. This compressive force is adequate to prevent anyundesired shifting movement of the Writing instrument 14 during normalshipping and handling procedures, while'still permitting convenientinser-' tion and removal of the instrument by the manufacturer andpurchaser, respectively.

It will be seen best from FIGURE 3 that the distance between any two ofthe three contact surfaces 28 is always less than the diameter of thewriting instrument 14, as represented by the dot-dash line 20. Theinstrument is held securely in a central position within the centralopening 18, and it is spaced uniformly inwardly from the main bodyportion 12 of the package. Thus, only the body portion 12 of the packageis subject to abuse, and the writing instrument is fully cushioned bythe resilient flutes 16 against any possibility of damage even in theevent of severe mishandling of the package. This is a very definiteadvantage, in that the writing instrument 14 will always reach thepurchaser in a fresh and undamaged state.

The flutes 16 are generally evenly spaced around the circumference ofthe body portion 12 whereby the distances between the contact surfaces28 are equal, thereby trisecting the surface of the writing instrument14.

This novel package is particularly suited for the reception of a writinginstrument or other article having a In this event, the inside diameterof the body portion 12 should be at least equal to, and preferablygreater than, the diameter of the writing instrument plus twice theheight of the protuberance. Thus, the protuberance or clip 30- will fitcomfortably in any of the three spaces between the flutes 16 without thenecessity of orienting the clip relative to the package.

The package may be made in various ways. For example, it may consistinitially of a straight cylindrical tube into which the indents orflutes 16 are pressed by heated triangular shaped die portions. It ispreferred, however, to form the package by an extrusion process in whichthe body portion and flutes are formed simultaneously in the desiredfinished shape. Such an extrusion process has certain advantages ofinterest to the packager, since the preformed extruded tubing may bepurchased in long lengths and readily cut into various short sections toaccommodate implements of different lengths. Also, it will be understoodthat the flutes 16 do not necessarily have to be continuous over thefull length of the body portion 12. If they are formed by an indentationprocess subsequent to the manufacture of the tubing, they can beprovided as a series of two or more longitudinally aligned individualindentations. Particularly, for example, if a writing instrument carriesa cap of larger diameter than the barrel, the discontinuous flutes wouldbe advantageous since the individual indentations in one end of thetubing preferably might extend into the bore 13 a greater distance thanthose adjacent the other end.

FIGURE 4 shows a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention,this embodiment including a circumferentially continuous circular bodyportion 50 formed of a thin resilient material, preferably of atransparent or translucent nature. Extending into the central bore 51radially toward the longitudinal axis of the body portion 50, are threelongitudinally disposed flutes 52 which are formed ofthe same materialas and integral with the body portion 50. The flutes 52 extend an equaldistance into the bore 51 whereby their treminal ends comprise contactsurfaces 54 defining a central opening 55 concentric with the bodyportion 50.

In FIGURE 4, the package is illustrated as containing a hexagonalobject, such as a writing instrument 56, this object having a minimum orroot diameter which is greater than the normal (or relaxed) diameter ofthe central opening 55. Thus, upon insertion of the article 56 into thebore 51, the body portion 50 will radially and resiliently yieldoutwardly to permit movement of the flutes 52 and concomitant enlargingof the central opening 55 to a size equal to the base diameter of thearticle. As with the previously described embodiment, this resilientoutward yielding of the body portion 50 creates a compressive forceinwardly between the contact surfaces 54 and the instrument 56 to holdthe instrument suspended centrally in axial alignment with the bodyportion 50 and cushion it against any possible damage or abuse prior toits sale to the customer. Also, the body portion 50 preferably is of atransparent or translucent nature so that the article held therein maybe inspected by the user prior to purchase. Thus, the user is assured ofobtaining the desired color and style.

FIGURE 5 shows another embodiment of this invention. This embodiment isquite similar to the embodiments described hereabove, except that theelongate general tubular body portion 100 is of a generally squareconfiguration to permit convenient stacking of a quantity of packages ona dealers shelf, or the like. The body portion 100 preferably isprovided in the form of an extrusion with a relatively thinsemi-resilient wall adopted to flex radially upon insertion of thewriting instrument 102 into the central opening 103 axially aligned withthe square bore 105 and defined by the longitudinally extending contactsurfaces 104 at the inner end of the inwardly directed flutes 106. Inthis type of construction preferably the four flat surfaces of the bodyportion 100 are initially extruded with a slight concave curvature sothat insertion of the writing instrument 102 will cause the packageto-assume a square or rectangular configuration which can be stacked andotherwise handled readily.

As in the previously described embodiments, the body portion 100, whilebeing resiliently yieldable radially, is

longitudinally rigid to prevent any shortening of the package undercompressive force, since such shortening might permit damage to one orthe other ends of the implement 102, and this is a particularlyimportant factor should the implement have a relatively delicatemechanism at one of its ends, such as a ball writing assembly.

As pointed out hereabove, writing instruments, as well as various otherarticles, are now sold in large quantities in coin operated vendingmachines. In many of these machines the article to be dispensed must beof a cylindrical nature, and for this reason, the first two embodimentsdescribed here above are particularly desirable for use in this type ofmerchandising. These novel packages not only are less expensive thantubular cardboard packages used widely heretofore in machine dispensersbut have the further advantage of permitting, if formed of a transparentor translucent material, visual inspection of the article by theprospective purchaser. Further, they eliminate any possibility ofmarring or other damage to the article by the machine mechanism duringthe dispensing operation, likewise provide a conveniently sized packagefor subsequent storage of the article should the user be concerned as topossible damage thereto by other items which might be carried in apurse, handbag or trouser pocket.

From the above discussion, it will be apparent that the presentinvention is not limited to writing instruments but is well suited foruse with other types of articles. For instance, articles diflicult tohandle in the usual dispensing machine, such as pocket handkerchiefs,and the like, can be rolled and inserted into the package with the sameadvantages described hereabove. It will be realized, therefore, that theforegoing description has been given only by way of example and thisinvention is not limited to the particularly described embodiments, andvarious modifications and changes may be made without departing from thetrue spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the followingclaims.

We claim:

1. A package containing an elongate generally cylindrical writinginstrument, comprising a generally tubular body portion defined by acircumferentially continuous length of thin pliant material ofsubstantially constant thickness, said body portion being at least aslong as said Writing instrument and defining a straight central boreteminating in open ends, the diameter of said bore being greater thanthe diameter of said writing instrument, at least three longitudinallydisposed flutes evenly spaced around the circumference of and formed bygenerally triangular indentations in said body portion, saidindentations extending longitudinally the length of said body portion,said flutes extending radially from said body portion an equal distanceinto said central bore to provide elongate contact surfaces running thelength of said body portion, said contact surfaces defining a centralopening coaxial with said bore and normally smaller in diameter thansaid writing instrument, said body portion and said flutes beinglongitudinally rigid but radially and resiliently yieldable to permitoutward biasing of said contact surfaces and concomitant enlarging ofsaid central opening upon insertion of said writing instrument axiallyinto said opening through either of said open ends, the resiliency ofsaid body portion and said flutes creating a compressive force betweensaid contact surfaces and said writing instrument, whereby said writinginstrument is held suspended in and axially aligned with said centralopening until removed manually therefrom through either of said openends.

2. A package containing an elongate cylindrical writing instrumenthaving an outwardly protruding pocket clip, comprising a generallytubular body portion defined by an extruded circumferentially continuouslength of thin pliant plastic material of substantially constantthickness, said body portion being longer than said writing instrumentand defining a straight central bore terminating in open ends, thediameter of said bore being greater than the diameter of said writinginstrument plus twice the height of said pocket clip, at least threelongitudinally disposed flutes evenly spaced around the circumference ofand formed by generally triangular indentations in said body portion,said indentations extending longitudinally the length of said bodyportion, the space between said flute sbeing greater than the width ofsaid pocket clip, said flutes extending radially from said body portionan equal distance into said central bore to provide elongate contactsurfaces running the length of said body portion, said contact surfacesdefining a central opening coaxial with said bore and normally smallerin diameter than said writing instrument, said body portion and saidflutes being longitudinally rigid but radially and resiliently yieldableto permit outward biasing of said contact surfaces and concomitantenlarging of said central opening upon insertion of said writinginstrument axially into said opening through either of said open endswith said clip disposed in one of the spaces between said flutes, theresiliency of said body portion and said flutes creating a compressiveforce between said contact surfaces and said writing instrument wherebysaid writing instrument is held suspended in and axially aligned withsaid central opening until removed manually therefrom through either ofsaid open ends.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 440,633 11/ 1890Haussrnann 20616.5 1,589,430 6/1926 Russell 20616.5 1,919,811 7/ 193 3S-tonebraker 206 2,874,826 2/ 1959 Matthews 20646 X 2,919,046 12/1959Parsons 20646 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,221,727 1/ 1960 France.

304,984 1/ 1929 Great Britain.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

1. A PACKAGE CONTAINING AN ELONGATE GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL WRITINGINSTRUMENT, COMRISING A GENERALLY TUBULAR BODY PORTION DEFINED BY ACIRCUMFERENTIALLY CONTINUOUS LENGTH OF THIN PLIANT MATERIAL OFSUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT THICKNESS, SAID BODY PORTION BEING AT LEAST ASLONG AS SAID WRITING INSTRUMENT AND DEFINING A STRAIGHT CENTRAL BORETERMINATING IN OPEN ENDS, THE DIAMETER OF SAID BORE BEING GREATER THANTHE DIAMETER OF SAID WRITING INSTRUMENT, AT LEAST THREE LONGITUDINALLYDISPOSED FLUTES EVENLY SPACED AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF AND FORMED BYGENERALLY TRIANGULAR INDENTATIONS IN SAID BODY PORTION, SAIDINDENTATIONS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THE LENGTH OF SAID BODY PORTION,SAID FLUTES EXTENDING RADIALLY FROM SAID BODY PORTION AN EQUAL DISTANCEINTO SAID CENTRAL BORE TO PROVIDE ELONGATE CONSTANT SURFACES RUNNING THELENGTH OF SAID BODY PORTION, SAID CONTACT SURFACES DEFINING A CENTRALOPENING COAXIAL WITH SAID BORE AND NORMALLY SMALLER IN DIAMETER THANSAID WRITING INSTRUMENT, SAID BODY PORTION AND SAID FLUTES BEINGLONGITUDINALLY RIGID BUT RADIALLY AND RESILIENTLY YIELDABLE TO PERMITOUTWARD BIASING OF SAID CONTACT SURFACES AND CONCOMITANT ENLARGING OFSAID CENTRAL OPENING UPON INSERTION OF SAID WRITING INSTRUMENT AXIALLYINTO SAID OPENING THROUGH EITHER OF SAID OPEN ENDS, THE RESILIENCY OFSAID BODY PORTION AND SAID FLUTES CREATING A COMPRESSIVE FORCE BETWEENSAID CONTACT SURFACES AND SAID WRITING INSTRUMENT, WHEREBY SAID WRITINGINSTRUMENT IS HELD SUSPENDED IN AND AXIALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID CENTRALOPENING UNTIL REMOVED MANUALLY THEREFROM THROUGH EITHER OF SAID OPENENDS.